Worse, state employees will get up and go to work every day, but won’t be paid enough money to pay mortgages or rent, buy groceries or pay for daycare.

The Governor punishes state workers for the fact that it requires a 2/3rds vote to pass a state budget and Republican legislators have no plan except to say ‘no’. The Governor’s energy would be better spent trying to convince members of his own party to come to the table with realistic solutions. He should come to the table himself with a proposal more than just eliminating essential services and asking only the working poor and middle class to sacrifice.

The furloughs of state workers have been devastating to businesses. I’ve heard from restaurants, drycleaners and daycare facilities that the furloughs caused them to lay off employees. The Governor’s proposal to cut state workers' pay to the minimum wage is exactly the opposite of what economists say is needed -- it is anti-stimulus at a time when the economy is already struggling. And it means that more businesses will have to cut their employees or close their doors, further delaying the recovery.

The Governor should stop punishing state workers and work constructively with Legislative leaders to address the budget shortfall brought on by an economic collapse that was caused by Wall Street greed and excess."